Broad beans

[Patf]

We planted the beans last Nov. and they have grown into healthy plants. At what stage are the beans ready to pick and eat? Or freeze.  At the moment the pods are about 6 inches long.

[Val_2]

You should be able to feel a fairly hard bean inside when its ready and I would have said at least ten inches long. You could always pop one and see how advanced the beans are.

[Gardian]

Sounds like they're ready to go to me.  Well done: I failed miserably with mine.

Try picking a dozen pods and giving them a go.  You don't want them the beans too fat: slim, young & tender.   5 mins cooking is plenty.

[Patf]

Thanks to both for the replies. I've just checked out the plants and they have started to be infested with blackfly, around the top growing leaves. And I opened a pod and the beans seem ready. So I think it's time to lift the plants.

[TefkaC]

Hi Pat, if you pick out the tops it will stop the black fly, I did ours yesterday, I then gave em a spray with soapy water, they are now fine.

 

All the best

 

Charlie......

[dragonrouge]

When the beans have been picked please do not dig out the plants for they deliver nitrogen to the soil.  So just cut them off just above soil level and thus nitrogen is left in the soil and in the autumn just dig them in.  Then of course the rest of the plant into the compost bin.

[Gardian]

Didn't know that - thanks.